‘Bless the queen and curse the Colonial Office’: Australasian reaction to German consolidation in the Pacific 1871–99

Abstract

Abstract The negative British responses to Australasian colonial requests for the extension of British control in the Pacific, particularly in the period of annexations or attempted annexations by Germany from 1884, show the consistent subordination of Australasian interests to Britain's broader Imperial interests. This only made colonial governments and interest groups more determined to obtain and preserve what they believed was theirs by right. Of equal concern with the preservation of their economic interests was the fear that their maritime trade and ports could be exposed to attacks by German warships, based in colonies stretching from New Guinea to Samoa. The reality of the threat is confirmed by German naval planning documents.